Vacant job

Data-driven understanding and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure

Do you want to develop your research and teaching in an environment where collaboration with industry and society is a given? Here, you will work with engaged colleagues, have access to modern research infrastructure, and enjoy good opportunities to attract external funding. You will have the opportunity to make a real difference for your students, your research, and society at large.

The research subject of Water and Environmental Engineering at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, is seeking a driven and engaged postdoctoral researcher with a focus on data-driven monitoring and predictive modeling of sediment accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure. The role aims to support evidence-based maintenance that contributes to improved water quality and enhanced urban resilience during heavy rainfall. Take the opportunity to join one of the world's leading stormwater research groups, operating in an international, creative, and dynamic environment in close collaboration with industry and universities worldwide.

The research subject of Water and Environmental Engineering holds a strong position in research and education within urban water systems, particularly regarding stormwater and sewage systems. The group comprises approximately 50 people, including several senior researchers, Swedish and international adjunct professors, and around 20 doctoral students. The group has an extensive national and international network of collaborators. The group's overarching goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. For more information, see http://www.ltu.se/vatten (http://www.ltu.se/vatten).

Subject Description

Water and Environmental Engineering covers the entire urban water system (stormwater, drinking water, and wastewater) with regard to collection, transport, and treatment, as well as organization/planning. The research aims for good socio-economics and environment, smart resource utilization, and the safety and health of citizens.

Project Description

Stormwater transports a broad spectrum of pollutants from urban environments to receiving waters, posing significant challenges for the protection of surface water and coastal ecosystems. Urban stormwater facilities, such as stormwater wells and ponds, play a crucial role by retaining sediment and associated pollutants. However, their function depends on efficient operation and maintenance, which in practice is often reactive or based on fixed intervals, despite large spatial and temporal variations in sediment accumulation. This project is part of a larger interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at enabling a transition towards more data-driven and environmentally sustainable maintenance of urban stormwater facilities. The overall goal is to reduce the pollutant load to coastal and marine environments and support sustainable urban water management.

The research project will focus on developing a data-driven understanding of sediment accumulation processes in urban stormwater facilities. This includes long-term monitoring using high-resolution sensors to capture sediment dynamics during rainfall events and across different seasons. Based on these data, predictive models will be developed to estimate sediment accumulation and the remaining functionality of the facilities. The results will support more effective maintenance strategies by identifying when and where maintenance efforts are needed to maximize environmental performance and operational efficiency.

Within the project, the postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with municipalities and international research partners, as well as communicate results to both the industry and international researchers through LTU's well-established competence network.

Responsibilities

The tasks of the postdoctoral researcher are varied. You will work independently to plan and conduct your studies and write scientific articles, in collaboration with industry and other project partners. In between, you will participate in seminars and conferences both in Sweden and internationally. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to try out the teaching role, and administrative tasks may also occur (up to 20% of full-time equivalent). You will have two supervisors by your side.

Qualifications

To be eligible for employment, a PhD degree or equivalent foreign degree in Water and Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Civil Engineering, or another field deemed equivalent is required. It is meritorious if your degree was completed no more than three years before the last day of application for this position. If there are special reasons, it may be considered as having completed the PhD degree earlier, for example, in cases of various types of statutory leave.

The applicant must have the ability to work independently, take initiative, and independently start new research areas. Proficiency in English is necessary to present research results at international conferences and in scientific publications. It is meritorious if you have knowledge and experience in:

• Stormwater management, Bayesian statistics, sediment transport processes, hydraulics/hydrology, and thermodynamics (e.g., heat transfer processes)
• Sensor-based monitoring, field sampling, machine learning, programming, and working with large environmental measurement datasets

Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is meritorious, as it facilitates communication with stakeholders and participation in teaching activities. Possession of a driver's license is also meritorious, as it facilitates research work. Upon request, you must be able to provide contact details for two reference persons.

Information

This position is a full-time employment for two years. The workplace is in Luleå. Intended start date: Autumn 2026.

For further information, you are welcome to contact postdoctoral researcher Haoyu Wei, 0920-491728, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Union Representatives

SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Application

We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below, attaching a cover letter, CV/resume, and copies of verified degree certificates. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and degree certificates must be written in Swedish or English.

Last day of application: 17 August, 2026

Reference number: 3516-2026